Mandrel-Sleeve Joint Connector with Embedded Mortar Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mandrel-sleeve connections in concrete components face high loads at the joint edge, leading to stress on the concrete, which can result in fracture, and require expensive, corrosion-resistant materials for the plates and bracket areas to ensure longevity.

Innovation Solution

Embedding the plates and bracket elements in a high-strength, plate-shaped element made of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete, which surrounds them on all sides, allowing for the use of inexpensive materials and enhancing the reinforcement of the joint area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If expensive corrosion-resistant materials are used for plates and bracket areas, then service life is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses ordinary steel plates and bracket elements that are not made from expensive corrosion-resistant materials. Instead, these relatively inexpensive components are fully encased in a corrosion-resistant mortar-like mass, which protects them from corrosion. This approach allows the use of cheaper materials for the metal components while still achieving the required service life through the protective mortar coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Strength

If high-strength mortar-like mass is used to embed plates and bracket elements, then fracture resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefracture resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the plates, bracket elements, and mortar-like mass into a single integrated construction. The mortar-like mass completely encases the metal components, merging them into one unified structure that is embedded directly into the concrete components. This integration simplifies the overall construction process and reduces the number of separate assembly steps required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plates and bracket elements are positioned and prepared in advance before the mortar-like mass is applied. The stirrup elements are attached to the plates beforehand, and the entire assembly is ready for embedding into the concrete components. This preliminary preparation streamlines the construction process and reduces on-site complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If plates are made from corrosion-resistant material, then service life is improved, but material cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidmaterial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses ordinary steel plates that are not made from expensive corrosion-resistant materials. Instead, these relatively inexpensive components are fully encased in a corrosion-resistant mortar-like mass, which protects them from corrosion. This approach allows the use of cheaper materials for the metal plates while still achieving the required service life through the protective mortar coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3339525B1Device for connecting two components separated by a joint
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 F J ASCHWANDEN AG
  • EP3339525B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3339525B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3339525B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A device for connecting two components (16, 17) separated by a joint (18) to absorb shear forces comprises a sleeve (1) inserted into a second component (17) and a mandrel (15) inserted into a first component (16). The mandrel (15) and sleeve (1) are provided with reinforcing elements, each having a first plate (9) facing the joint (18), to which stirrup elements are attached on opposite sides. The respective first plate (9) and the areas of the reinforcing elements adjacent to the first plate (9) are embedded in a plate-shaped element (3) formed from a high-strength, mortar-like mass, which completely encloses the first plate (9). This allows the shear forces to be optimally transferred from the mandrel (15) and the sleeve (1) to the components (16, 17).